Climate Irony

13 long years of drought in Australia kinda clinched the existence of climate change for many people, as has the flooding rains the followed. The heating of the oceans are causing so many different effects on the climactic system that Gaia has thrown everything into a spin. 2010 was, on average, the 3rd hottest year globally since records existed. Australia had one of its coldest years on record, and in the eastern part and some of the west, one of its wettest. The extreme weather events that the climatologist predicted would happen are now happening with regular occurrence not only our country, but globally. To put the icing on the cake, two tropical cyclones are heading towards Queensland as I write, probably making landfall within a week of each other.

Sounds like a strong response is required to cut our carbon emissions are in order, just like our learned scientists have been screaming at us to do quickly. Will we ever see this happen? I don’t believe so.

So what has been our Government’s response to this climate devastation? Well, a simple one really. Lets cut funding to climate projects, like large scale renewable energy, clean car fund, and even Carbon capture and storage (yes, even clean coal gets the cut). WTF??? Are they on some kind of hallucinogenic drug? Are they missing the forest for the trees (albeit, the cut down ones that they give the logging industry permission to cut down in swathes). Climatologist have a majority consensus regarding Climate Change. Sure not all of them, but the vast majority and that we should have acted at the turn of the century to prevent what is now occurring. So why should we pay for a levy, when the Hon. Julia Gillard PM, decides to cut Climate Change programs, to pay for Climate Change effects? So is a tax in disguise the answer to Climate Change? How stupid, short sighted and very, very ironic.

A levy (tax) for 12 months to pay for the damage caused by the flooding in three states of the country? Personally I am all for a levy to help pay my part, but without the cuts to climate change mitigation projects. However, it seems that it may not even be legal as I found this tit bit posted as a comment under a news article;

“Has anyone looked at the legality of such a tax? Under section 51(2) and 99 of the constitution, the commonwealth would be unable to impose income tax at different rates in different states. Under section 51(2) the parliament has power to tax but so as not to discriminate between states or parts of states. Under section 99 the commonwealth shall not, by any law or regulation of trade, commerce or revenue, give preference to one state or any part there of over another state or any part thereof. All for supporting the flood victims but lets not disregard the constitution in the process!! – boulder”

It doesn’t sound legal to me either but I am not a constitutional QC, so maybe that is why they are calling it a levy and not a temporary tax. A tax on the few with exemptions for certain parts of the population. It doesn’t seem fair.

Perhaps I could write a movie about a man who lost his wife and children due to Climate Change, and takes the law into his own hands to revenge Climate Change deniers in Parliament. The movie could be called “The Greater Good”. Mind you, the man would have to take out most of the Parliament for the effect to be any good. Not that I am advocating a Guy Faulks like event. Far from it. It just irritates me that either our politicians have not connected the dots, or have and are just ignoring the evidence. What happens when the next climate disaster occurs? Do we just get a continuous levy imposed aka tax. Why aren’t the industries that pollute pay more? That’s right, they have the ample funds to lobby the government for a cut in company tax, and to delay an inevitable carbon tax on the worst of them. Yet again the people pay for companies outright greed.

I believe that We will need to be in a Climate Change Disaster movie before Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott believe or act upon Climate Change decisively. What will it take?

Bloody ostriches!

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About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Comments

It’s the same here in the US. Actually worse. The so-called conservatives (actually right-wing extremists) are all climate-change deniers simply because they hate Al Gore. Asinine.

A lot of people are trying to make changes on a personal and local level, and the states still have rebate programs designed to encourage energy efficient upgrades, but the Federal ones have all but disappeared after they extended the tax break for billionaires. We need a real energy policy but we’ll never get it, not under the current corrupt system.

Of course, our Congress is a wholly owned subsidiary of Big Oil, Big Coal, Big Pharma, and Big Ag, so it’s not surprising. Even the US Supreme Court now answers to their corporate masters.

And WTF are they going to do next month, when another part of the country gets wiped out from a different natural distaster??

And I suppose they want to rebuild in the same areas, that are flood prone? I realise these are people’s homes & work places, and I feel for them, so much, with all their loss, but are we not just setting ourselves up for more of the same heartache?

The government seems to have deliberately avoided the opportunity to publically link the flooding events to climate change. If such ignorance wasn’t frustrating enough, the few programs which were working to counter the effects are being scrapped as though they were merely extravagant luxuries.

Having said that, I never agreed with the cash for clunkers program, I thought it was a policy designed to appeal to the mass uninformed, but if you had any understanding of the concept around embodied energy you’d quickly realise it was a sham and I’m almost happy to see it gone. It makes me furious to see funds diverted from viable solar energy programs though. Such shame.

While I acknowledge a need to get started quickly, I would hope that we aren’t rebuilding to the same specification as before, so that we finish just in time for it to be swept away by the next flood that will inevitably come our way, and with increasing frequency. I would also be interested in understanding what is the plan for avoiding contractors from criminally capitalising on the rush of new work orders, like we had observed with the school halls program??? Execution of these things hasn’t been among our government’s strong points…

How infuriating for you all! Cuts to climate projects are the last thing you need. I scratch my head. My heart goes out to everyone who was affected by the flooding. Here in Canada, I am equally frustrated with the government, as it pertains the the oil sands mega project in Alberta, and the lack of any desire to cut emissions because of it. I just used my blog to vent as well! It seems like we have different situations, but the exact same story with the response from our governments. I wish you luck!

Well, scrapping the cash-for-clunkers scheme was a good idea, and I think CCS is snake oil so I don’t care if the research into it isn’t subsidised.The political blog I read opined that it was an excuse to remove embarrassing things from the list of to-dos. Despite this, I am still not entirely convinced that they will come good on an ETS in a hurry.

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About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

Always inspiring and entertaining!

August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

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July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do.
Thanks Gavin, love it!!

Well worth your time to tune in

October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast !
I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to.
Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

very good

June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

opened my eyes

May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

A wonderful show!

Inspiring

April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

Green Living, inspiring and practical

January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

Local food equals less waste

December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

Honestly australian

December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

Morning motivation

December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

Passionate Advocate

October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

Gavin speaks from the heart

October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

Green thoughts, so well iterated

October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

Easy listening inspiration on being green

September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

Thanks Gavin!

August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm

August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

Green Podcasts

July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

Practical ideas and inspiration

July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

Interesting & easy to listen to

April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

Great green listen

April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese